Last month I had the privilege of receiving a soothing Vitamin C facial by Joanne, and I just knew I needed to return to experience her custom make-up application as well. And so, Joya Beauty in Dover, NH, is the first stop in my off-season vendor tour! I have had the pleasure of working with Joanne at several weddings, and am pleased to show you what it is like to meet with Joanne as a potential bride would. J came along today to document the make-up process, and while he was enjoying a thank-you facial, I snapped some details in the studio.

On to the pictures... Keep in mind (read: beware) there were no Photoshop actions used on these images to smooth my facial imperfections, pores, etc. It's the real deal.

A cool collage (pictures by Em).This is Joanne and her adorable chihuahua Paloma (left by J, right by Em).When you arrive, you'll enter through the sliding glass doors on the left side of the house. And this is what the inside of Joya Beauty looks like (by Em).Without a stitch of make-up, I made my best pathetic "before" face to really show off Joanne's make-up abilities. And with an unflattering lens for added effect! Scary, huh? (This, and the next bunch of pictures are obviously all by J as I am in them).As I wait in the chair with the bridal smock on, Joanne mixes up a mineral powder foundation to precisely match my skin tone (she also has liquid). Worth repeating, Joanne custom designs your make-up! It's not like visiting a make-up counter at the mall where you find a tone that closely (if you're lucky) matches your skin-type. Joanne's matches exactly!Applying the powder foundation.Checking it out- well done!Joanne uses a tissue when applying the eye shadow- so in case any drops it won't mix with the foundation.I adore Joanne's funky glasses, don't you?Speaking of funky, J uses the fisheye lens for a little variety. Not sure how flattering this is, however.Next is concealer.And then mascara.

Finally, blush- and a smile. I'm beginning to look a bit more like my daily self.Joanne combines a base, moisturizer, color, stain and shine (I might be forgetting something?) to create a custom lipstick.Such a pretty berry color. And it has a scent of vanilla (you can select from several smells). Joanne then puts this in the microwave to melt for a few seconds before pouring into a wand for me to take home.Getting prettied is serious work.Joanne packages up the lipstick and foundation, and presses a sticker with her logo and "custom made" label (left by J, right by Em).Voila! A much more pleasing view of me by J!Thank you so much, Joanne! It was a pleasure to be girly with you for the afternoon. And thanks to J for capturing the experience (by Em).

If you're looking for a make-up artist for your wedding day, I encourage you to call Joanne asap (and if you're not yet convinced she's the best and would like to see more images from my day, email me and I will send you the link to an online gallery of more than 200 pictures). She also hosts small parties at her studio to create custom lipsticks and such with your girlfriends. And a gift certificate for any of her skin treatments would be a welcome addition under anyone's tree next month (speaking of, I hope you all had a relaxing, festive, loving Thanksgiving holiday!).

Sam DePoy-Warren is a talented photographer who lives in Farmington. In addition to her successful photography business, I Do Click, Sam is also an amazing writer, teacher and she's a graduate student! Sam first sent me an introductory email last winter, asking me a few questions about my business. That initial exchange became a steady electronic back-and-forth, and even the opportunity for J and I to consult Sam on some of business strategies.

We have been trying to squeeze in a quick holiday card portrait for weeks, and our schedules finally aligned today! Sam and her super husband Kyle made the trip down to South Portland for a hike through our favorite dog haven, Hinckley Park, with their two pointers Alder and Nikon.

This is my favorite!And this is what most of the other images look like. ;)Kidding. We did manage to find a handful of places for less rowdy portraits.

How sweet are Sam and Kyle together?Nikon is 5-months old today!And Alder is his big sister (brrr! It was a cold day to be swimming!).Getting ready to leave.Those pups are too cute (and you gotta love Sam's crocodile mittens)!So great to see you all today! Dakota and Destin enjoyed having you over after for some serious playtime, too! Let's do it again soon! And thanks for the yummy Starbucks-inspired pumpkin spice latte cheesecake! Yum!

J and I are blessed to have many amazing friends in the photography community but sadly, most of them live very far away. So we were extra excited last week when Mark, Erin, Rachel and Andrew of LaCour, and new friends Katie and Chris of 6 of Four Creations from Georgia came to visit Eric Laurits at his parents' cottage in Wells.

We toasted the local brew at Federal Jack's in Kennebunkport, dined on mussels and red wine (on a weekday afternoon!) at David Murray's house on Goose Rocks Beach, played with our dogs at our house, chowed at Flatbread Pizza and sang with J Biddy at RiRa, took a midnight run to LL Bean, experienced Becky's Diner and Portland Head Light in the rain. It was a busy, fun-filled few days and we already miss you all (Dakota especially misses Eric, whom she snuggled with all night).

Eric did a fantastic job documenting the week. Below are some of his pictures. More can be found on his blog.

Mark and ErinRachel and AndrewChris and KatieThis is Eric who took (mostly all) of these images.Baby girl DakotaDestinFlatbread magicMeWalking into LL late nightThey have a great new fish tank!

JChris and RachelAwww. Morning email w/ DestinThe institution that is Becky'sMany thanks for the time, laughter, wine, creativity and friendship. We adore you all and can't wait to see you again!

During the last few years, I have created a list of trusted vendors I share with my wedding clients based on positive personal experience from working with them. All are folks I have come to respect and admire in the industry and I recommend them to my clients without reservation knowing their style and personality match the same high quality I deliver to my clients.

Now that my regular season is over, I thought I might take you on a tour of these friends throughout my off-season in the event that you may still be vendor shopping or if you are planning your New England wedding from a distance and might not have the opportunity to visit prospective vendors shops, offices, salons, studios, etc.

The first tour is of Joya Beauty. Check back soon for pictures and my experience when I visited her home studio in Dover, NH.

I am pleased to present 11 holiday card designs for 2007! Each 5x7 flat card is printed on matte card stock, perfect for adding a hand-written note on the back, and includes a white envelope (it is also possible to have a folded 5x7 card with a personal greeting printed inside for just $10 more per set). The designs below are customized with your favorite photo(s) as well as your names and the year. Cards are sold in sets of 25 for $60. Please place your order before December 7th to ensure delivery before Christmas. Email me the design number you would like, the image number(s) from your Pictage gallery, the quantity of cards to order and your shipping address. I will email you an invoice which you may pay via PayPal or personal check.

The people featured in the cards below are not models, but clients from portrait sessions in the last few weeks. The names are not real.

UPDATE: Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.

In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages. Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into a collection box will not be delivered.

Instead of sending an “Any Wounded Soldier” letter or package to Walter Reed, please consider making a donation to one of the more than 300 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping our troops and their families listed on the "America Supports You" website, www.americasupportsyou.mil

Other organizations that offer means of showing your support for our troops or assist wounded servicemembers and their families include: